The 2015 Dallas Cowboys and the Myth of DeMarco Murray

[Doomsday101]

Maybe...maybe not

Murray couldn't either....he fumbled the game clincher vs gb

Yet based on the numbers Randle fumbles every 25 carries while Murray was at every 78 carries. You are right Murray fumbled vs GB and they got 3 points out of it, next series Murray has a big run and punches it in for a TD to extend the lead. Calling the fumble a game clincher in the 3rd qrt of a game is a bit of a reach.

 

[Sydla]

I don't know about calling it a game clincher. But Murray's fumble was clearly the biggest Cowboys foible in that game.

PS - Count me as one nervous about Randle's ball security.

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't know about calling it a game clincher. But Murray's fumble was clearly the biggest Cowboys foible in that game.

PS - Count me as one nervous about Randle's ball security.

Any and all negative plays contribute to any loss so of course Murray fumble played into it. The fact we could not even touch a 1 legged QB I think was even a bigger issue

 

[Sydla]

I get you want to defend Murray but that fumble was the biggest mistake made in that game. How anyone denies that is peculiar. If he doesn't fumble, he probably gets another 20 yards and we are within FG range. We can chew more clock and keep the defense off the field.

We couldn't rush a QB all season and yet managed to win 12 games. Trying to blame the pass rush for the loss is peculiar when we all knew going into the game our pass rush kinda sucked anyway,

 

[Doomsday101]

I get you want to defend Murray but that fumble was the biggest mistake made in that game. How anyone denies that is peculiar. If he doesn't fumble, he probably gets another 20 yards and we are within FG range. We can chew more clock and keep the defense off the field.

We couldn't rush a QB all season and yet managed to win 12 games. Trying to blame the pass rush for the loss is peculiar when we all knew going into the game our pass rush kinda sucked anyway,

Not defending anyone I think it played a part in the loss I think even a bigger issue was the fact we could not get to a limping QB and he ate our lunch. The fumble happened in the 3rd qrt of a game with an entire qrt left to play and the lead still in tact. That 1 play did not lose the game. Jones has said the same thing that is why Hardy was brought in that is why Gregory was drafted this team had no pass rush and vs GB and Rodgers that is a must. Games not won or lost in the 3rd qrt of a game. You think all of a sudden the Dallas pass rush gets going? I think it is more likely that GB continues to move the ball through the air with ease

 

[CowboyRoy]

I think Dallas will take some shots but not much more than they did last year. Broaddus report I think gives some insight on how Linehan will utilize what he has

2) I like what Scott Linehan is doing with the running backs in space by stretching the field. With the way he is setting the formations, he is creating opportunities for the one-on-one matchups inside. With the defense in a Cover Two look (safeties on the hashes), Linehan opened the middle of the field even wider for Cole Beasley to catch a simple pass over the middle and take it for a sizable gain before the defense had a chance to react. Nice use of personnel and scheme by the offensive coordinator.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...rival-strong-dt-play-among-12-thoughts-monday

I think Cole will be used more this year than ever before.

Absolutely. Its a shame that prior to last year, Beasley was used sparingly.

 

[DFWJC]

I don't see how anyone can deny that Murray had a truly great year last year.

It was the perfect storm for him and he cashed in:

• Basically never (or rarely) facing loaded boxes
• A great run blocking Oline that improved as the year went on
• An outstandingly efficient and lethal passing game
• The first year with Linehan calling plays...more persistent than DCs were used to
• A contract year....so playing through stuff he may have not before

The fallacy is to think that those numbers would be matched this year by especially him, but also anyone else.

We will still stay balanced, but the pass game will have a few hundred yards more and the run game maybe a few hundred less. Not much.

The team will still score at the about the same clip...though playing all the good AFC East defenses may bring the average down very slightly.

 

[CowboyRoy]

That's exactly where I am at. Randle and DMC will have big games. But can they take over that must have game , when Romo is off that day?

The trade off is that possibly the defense will. They clearly have sacrificed a little bit in the running game to get a lot more out of the defense and the pass rush.

Dallas was #2 in rushing last year and they didnt win a SB. So getting to #1 isnt going to matter. They were like 30th in sacks last year. 2nd worst in franchise history.
So the thinking is that if we drop from #2 in rushing to #7, but gain from #30 on sacks to #8, then it will make a world of difference. The running game is not going to collapse. Unless you are of the mind that its all about the RB. And like many have pointed out. Romo and the passing game are just fine.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Not to be rude, but you're hedging.

The defense was 19th in yards per game last year with 355.1 yards per game. The 10th ranked defense was 339.8 yards per game (Carolina).

Dallas was 15th in points allowed per game with 22 points allowed. 10th place San Fran had 21.3 points allowed per game.

They were second in the league in takeaways with 31, compared to first place Houston with 34.

They've made tremendous investments in defense where many in the top 10 have probably declined.

There is no reason this defense can't be top 10 this year. They were pretty close last year.

Pretty close? that is a stretch.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I get you want to defend Murray but that fumble was the biggest mistake made in that game. How anyone denies that is peculiar. If he doesn't fumble, he probably gets another 20 yards and we are within FG range. We can chew more clock and keep the defense off the field.

We couldn't rush a QB all season and yet managed to win 12 games. Trying to blame the pass rush for the loss is peculiar when we all knew going into the game our pass rush kinda sucked anyway,

Lack of pass rush was without a doubt the #1 reason we lost that game. And it was the biggest weakness on our team. That aside, the fumble was also horrid.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Not defending anyone I think it played a part in the loss I think even a bigger issue was the fact we could not get to a limping QB and he ate our lunch. The fumble happened in the 3rd qrt of a game with an entire qrt left to play and the lead still in tact. That 1 play did not lose the game. Jones has said the same thing that is why Hardy was brought in that is why Gregory was drafted this team had no pass rush and vs GB and Rodgers that is a must. Games not won or lost in the 3rd qrt of a game. You think all of a sudden the Dallas pass rush gets going? I think it is more likely that GB continues to move the ball through the air with ease

And the lack of pass rush was compounded by the fact that Rogers was limping on one leg the entire game. We only hurried the guy two times all game long.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I don't see how anyone can deny that Murray had a truly great year last year.

It was the perfect storm for him and he cashed in:

• Basically never (or rarely) facing loaded boxes
• A great run blocking Oline that improved as the year went on
• An outstandingly efficient and lethal passing game
• The first year with Linehan calling plays...more persistent than DCs were used to
• A contract year....so playing through stuff he may have not before

The fallacy is to think that those numbers would be matched this year by especially him, but also anyone else.

We will still stay balanced, but the pass game will have a few hundred yards more and the run game maybe a few hundred less. Not much.

The team will still score at the about the same clip...though playing all the good AFC East defenses may bring the average down very slightly.

Yah, and you can throw in the fact that he got the opportunity to run it 400 times last year. Its almost unheard of. He will NEVER get that many carries again in his life or stay healthy enough to take them.

 

[Doomsday101]

Absolutely. Its a shame that prior to last year, Beasley was used sparingly.

I think much of that is a player being ready to take on more. It is not like Beasley was a 1st rd pick he came to the Cowboys as an UDFA raw and unsure of himself and also just the fact he had Austin then Harris in front of him. I think he has progressed and will continue to progress. I would also say the trust factor between him and Romo really started mid way last season.

 

[Doomsday101]

And the lack of pass rush was compounded by the fact that Rogers was limping on one leg the entire game. We only hurried the guy two times all game long.

No doubt, I don't excuse the fumble of Murray what I will not do is pin the entire loss on Murray when his fumble happened in the 3rd qrt and even after GB settled for the FG Dallas had the lead. Next series Murray breaks a long run then puts the ball in on the next play to help extend the lead. Players mess us and he did but he got his head back into the game and helped his team. Pass rush was plain awful not to mention Sterling Moore who had a pretty decent season was beaten several times in that game

 

[CowboyRoy]

I think much of that is a player being ready to take on more. It is not like Beasley was a 1st rd pick he came to the Cowboys as an UDFA raw and unsure of himself and also just the fact he had Austin then Harris in front of him. I think he has progressed and will continue to progress. I would also say the trust factor between him and Romo really started mid way last season.

Yah, well I think you know that I am going to have a different opinion on that one. When Linehan came in here, he clearly saw the added value. And I am sure Romo had a lot to do with that as well. Once Linehan was in control of the offense we saw him go away from the two TE formation as a staple and more towards the 3 WR set as the staple of the offense. More 4 and 5 WR sets that brought Beasley more into the fold.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yah, well I think you know that I am going to have a different opinion on that one. When Linehan came in here, he clearly saw the added value. And I am sure Romo had a lot to do with that as well. Once Linehan was in control of the offense we saw him go away from the two TE formation as a staple and more towards the 3 WR set as the staple of the offense. More 4 and 5 WR sets that brought Beasley more into the fold.

Beasley had more catches in 2013 before Linehan even got to Dallas so it was not as if Beasley was not used. Fact is you had guys above him in Austin and Harris

 

[Sydla]

Lack of pass rush was without a doubt the #1 reason we lost that game. And it was the biggest weakness on our team. That aside, the fumble was also horrid.

But the point is it's not like we had a pass rush all season and they failed in that game. Anyone with a brain knew that getting to Rodgers in that game was going to be an issue.

But we won 12 games despite an anemic pass rush because we limited turnovers, we chewed up clock. And when Murray fumbles the ball in a key spot, that's a mistake in what's supposed to be our strength and what's supposed to help us win that game. Not getting to Rodgers shouldn't shock anyone or surprise anyone. In fact, the goal was to keep Rodgers off the field as much as possible. When Murray fumbles in that spot, that's a massive mistake.

Murray's fumble was the single biggest mistake in that game.

 

[CowboyRoy]

But the point is it's not like we had a pass rush all season and they failed in that game. Anyone with a brain knew that getting to Rodgers in that game was going to be an issue.

But we won 12 games despite an anemic pass rush because we limited turnovers, we chewed up clock. And when Murray fumbles the ball in a key spot, that's a mistake in what's supposed to be our strength and what's supposed to help us win that game. Not getting to Rodgers shouldn't shock anyone or surprise anyone. In fact, the goal was to keep Rodgers off the field as much as possible. When Murray fumbles in that spot, that's a massive mistake.

Murray's fumble was the single biggest mistake in that game.

Single mistake yah. But I'm not sure you can categorize a lack of pass rush as a mistake.

But that is just another reason why Murray wasn't worth the money he was asking. Even Philly had to hedge their bet with Ryan Mathews from San Diego.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Not to be rude, but you're hedging.

The defense was 19th in yards per game last year with 355.1 yards per game. The 10th ranked defense was 339.8 yards per game (Carolina).

Dallas was 15th in points allowed per game with 22 points allowed. 10th place San Fran had 21.3 points allowed per game.

They were second in the league in takeaways with 31, compared to first place Houston with 34.

They've made tremendous investments in defense where many in the top 10 have probably declined.

There is no reason this defense can't be top 10 this year. They were pretty close last year.

I am not hedging at all. I do see an improved Defense, but I am not sure how quick that happens and neither is anybody else.....including FO/coaches/players; Thats not hedging thats just a statment.

I am hoping they find their groove down the stretch. But if they don't, I dont see us being much better then last years Defense. Which means, we need that Running game clicking to win or we need to reinvent the Offensive gameplan and rely on short yard passing , screens, etc etc etc.

The formula worked last year. Why would be want to change it? Only if the Running game isnt what it was last year. Some beleive the Passing Threat allowed the Running game to flourish. I disagree. It was the other way around.

Line up that great OL, and run the ball! Thats it, thats the formula...we do that, the passing game gets easy and the Defense stays fresh and off the field. And Rodgers, Manning etc etc stays off the field too...

And there are plenty of reasons this defense cant be Top 10.

having said all that. Even if we do change up the offensive gameplan, and maybe the D does struggle a little. I still think we win games...... I just dont want to Risk Romo. I want to protect him.

Here is what I see. Running First equaled 12-4. Passing First equaled 8-8.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Maybe...maybe not

Murray couldn't either....he fumbled the game clincher vs gb

yeah that was a bad fumble. But, there were plenty of other mistakes made during that game and you could argue we wouldnt of even been there if it werent for Murray.

Mistakes will be made , it happens to even the best /HOF players. Teams/Players/Coaches will make mistakes. The Cowboys to include Murray , recovered from that mistake and put themsleves in position to win the game. And they got robbbed by offociating. Great teams/players overcome their bad plays. And they did that.